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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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THE 



MILITARY ORDER 



LOYAL LEGIO 



UNITED STATES 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 



PHILADELPHIA 

1885 



^ 




• 2 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18Qo,for 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, 

By Sam. B. Wylie Mitchell, M. D., ActingRecorder-in-Chief of said Order, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court cf the United States, 
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S85, ly 

JOHN P. NICHOLSON, 

Acting Recorder-in-Chie/ of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion 
of the United States, 

in the Office of the Librariati o/ Congress. 



First Edition, 1865. 



Second 


1S66. 


Third 


1867. 


P'ourth ' 


1868. 


Fifth 


mo. 


Sixth 


187U. 


Seventh ' 


1S77. 


Eighth • 


1880. 


Ninth 


1881. 


Tenth 


1885. 



First Quadrennial Congress of the Order, Philadel/'hia, April 9, 1S09. 

Second ' ' 

Adjourned 

Third Quadrennial 

Fourth 

Fifth 



If:, 1873. 
New i'or/c, Dec. 10, 1873. 
Boston. April 11, 1877. 

Philadelphia, " 13, 1881. 
Chicago, " 15, 1885. 



CONSTITUTION. 



PREAMBLE. 

We, Officers and Honorably Discharged Officers 
of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps of the United 
States, whose names are hereunto annexed, having 
aided in maintaining the honor, integrity and su- 
premacy of the National Government at a critical 
period of its history, and holding in remembrance 
the sacrifices in common made, and the triumphs to- 
gether shared in discharge of this sacred duty, unite to 
ordain and establish a permanent association for the 
purposes and objects hereinafter set forth, and to this 
end pledge our honor, as officers and gentlemen, to 
be governed by the following Constitution and By- 
Laws. 

ARTICLE L 

TITLE. 

This institution shall be known by the name, style 
and title of The Military Order of the Loyal 
Legion of the United States. 



ARTICLE II. 

PRINCIPLES. 

This Order acknowledges as its fundamental prin- 
ciples — 

1st. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God; ex- 
tolling Him under whose beneficent guidance the 
sovereignty and integrity of the Union have been 
maintained, the honor of the Flag vindicated, and the 
blessing of civil liberty secured, established and en- 
larged. 

2d. True allegiance to the United States of America, 
based upon paramount respect for and fidelity to the 
National Constitution and Laws, and manifested by 
discountenancing whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, 
to incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or to im- 
pair in any manner the efficiency and permanency of 
our free institutions. 

ARTICLE in. 

OBJECTS. 

The objects of this Order shall be, to cherish the 
memories and associations of the war waged in defence 
of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic ; to 
strengthen the ties of fraternal fellowship and sym- 
pathy formed by companionship-in-arms ; to advance 
the best interests of the soldiers and sailors of the 
United States, especially of those associated as mem- 



bers of this Order, and to extend all possible relief to 
their widows and children ; to foster the cultivation 
of military and naval science; to enforce unqualified 
allegiance to the General Government ; to protect the 
rights and liberties of American citizenship, and to 
maintain National Honor, Union and Independence. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The several constituted bodies of this Order shall 
be designated as Commanderies, and shall consist of — 

1st. State Commanderies, to be known as "The 
Commandery of the State of ." 

The several Commanderies may become incorporated 
under the laws of their respective States and under 
the provisions of this Constitution. 

2d. A National Commandery, to be known as " The 
Commandery-in-Chief" 

ARTICLE V. 

MEMBERS. 

The Members, or Companions, of this Order shall 
be of three classes: — 

First Class : ist. Commissioned Officers and Honor- 
ably Discharged Commissioned Officers of the United 
States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Regular or 
Volunteer, including officers of assimilated or cor- 
responding rank by appointment of the Secretary 



of War or Navy, who were actually engaged in the 
suppression of the Rebellion prior to the fifteenth day 
of April, 1865, whether so engaged as commissioned 
officers, non-commissioned officers, warrant officers 
or enlisted men, and who shall have been duly elected 
as hereinafter provided. 

2d. The eldest direct male lineal descendants, accord- 
ing to the rules of primogeniture, of deceased Orig- 
inal Companions of the First Class, and of officers 
dying prior to the thirty-first day of December, 1885, 
who at the time of death possessed the qualifications 
for membership in the Order ; and if there are no such 
descendants, then the male heirs of such deceased 
Companions or officers in the collateral branches of 
their families in the order of genealogical succession 
according to the rules of primogeniture, disregarding 
intervening female lives. 

Provided, hoivever, ist. That the inheritance shall in 
every case of succession be traced anew from the 
Original Founder of the membership in the Order, 
or deceased officer as aforesaid, and not otherwise, 
and shall be limited in cases of collateral succession 
to the brothers, and descendants of brothers and sis- 
ters, of such Original Companion or deceased officer, 
and, in cases of representation through females, the 
elder branches shall be preferred to the younger; 
but any Original Companion having no direct lineal 
descendant may by writing filed with the Recorder 



9 

of the Commandery in which he may be enrolled, or 
by his last will and testament, or instrument in the 
nature thereof, nominate for life his successor from 
among his male heirs within the said limits in the 
collateral branches of his family : 

2d. That any person eligible for membership by 
inheritance, or by renunciation of another, may, by 
writing filed with the Recorder of the Commandery 
in which the membership may be enrolled, waive and 
renounce his right to such eligibility in favor of the 
next-entitled person : 

3d. That in case one already a Companion of the 
Order is next in the line of inheritance from a de- 
ceased Original Companion or officer as aforesaid, 
the eligibility of membership in right of such de- 
ceased Companion or officer shall devolve upon the 
person next entitled other than such living Companion 
or his direct lineal descendants : 

4th. That in cases of inheritance by persons under 
the age of twenty-one years their right of succession 
to eligibility of membership, or of renunciation of 
such eligibility, shall be postponed until they attain 
majority. 

5th. That the resignation, expulsion or forfeiture of 
membership of a Companion who has obtained such 
membership by inheritance shall only work as a waiver 
of his rights in favor of the next person in the line of 



lO 

inheritance from the Original Companion or deceased 
officer as aforesaid ; 

6th. That no right of inheritance shall be derived 
from any Original Companion who has been expelled 
from the Order, but, in case an Original Companion 
shall have resigned or been dropped from the roll for 
non-payment of dues, his successor may be allowed 
by vote of a majority of the members of the Com- 
mandery present at any stated meeting to revive the 
said right : 

7th. That such descendants or collateral heirs shall 
have been duly elected as hereinafter provided.- 

Second Class : The eldest sons of living Original 
Companions of the First Class who shall have at- 
tained the age of twenty-one years and been duly 
elected as hereinafter provided. Upon the death of 
the Companion of the First Class through whom eli- 
gibility of membership is derived, a Companion of the 
Second Class shall become a Companion of the First 
Class. 

Provided, Jiozvcver: That such Companions of the 
Second Class shall not have the right of voting at 
meetings or of balloting for officers or new members. 

Third Class : Gentlemen in civil life who, during the 
Rebellion, were specially distinguished for conspicuous 
and consistent loyalty to the National Government, and 
who were active and eminent in maintaining the suprem- 
acy of the same, and who shall have been duly elected 



II 

as hereinafter provided; but the number of Companions 
of the Third Class shall not exceed the ratio of one to 
thirty-three of those of the First Class. 

ARTICLE VI. 

ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 

Section i. — Every application for membership shall 
be made in writing, signed by the applicant, who shall 
be recommended in writing by three Companions of 
the First Class of the Commandery to which he shall 
apply, who shall vouch for the candidate's worthiness. 
The application shall be accompanied by the admission 
fee and dues for the current year, and shall be referred 
by the Commander to a committee of investigation, 
consisting of three Companions of the Order, other 
than the recommending Companions, which commit- 
tee shall report in writing at the next stated meeting 
of the Commandery upon the worthiness and eligi- 
bility of the applicant. After the reading of the re- 
port, the Commander shall formally request any Com- 
panion of the Order who has any objection to the 
report, or reasons against the election of the candidate, 
to then state the same if he so desires. Upon the 
adoption of the report, every Companion of the Order 
present shall, unless excused by a vote of the Com- 
mandery, deposit one ballot for or against the candi- 
date. If he be a candidate for the First or Second 
Class, and not more than four black-balls or adverse 



12 

ballots be deposited against him, he shall be declared 
duly elected ; but if five or more black-balls or ad- 
verse ballots be deposited against him, he shall be 
rejected and so declared.' If he be a candidate for the 
Third Class, and one black-ball or adverse ballot be 
deposited against him, he shall be rejected and so 
declared. 

The admission fee and dues accompanying the ap- 
plication shall be refunded in case of non-election. 

Sec. 2. — An application for membership may be 
withdrawn before report thereon, or after report and 
before ballot if the report be favorable, but if the 
report be unfavorable, the candidate must be balloted 
for. 

Sec. 3. — A Companion-elect, before being admitted 
to the privileges of membership, shall subscribe to the 
Constitution and By-Laws of the Order ; pay an ad- 
mission fee of at least twenty-five dollars, which shall 
entitle him during membership to the Insignia, and if 
an Original Member of the First or Third Class to the 
Diploma, and shall either make the requisite declara- 
tion at a meeting of the Commandery, or file the same 
in writing. But if he shall neglect or refuse to comply 
with these conditions for the period of six months, 
unless prevented by sickness or other unavoidable 
occurrence, his election may be declared null and void. 

Sec. 4. — If a candidate for membership be rejected, 
he shall be forever after ineligible for proposal in any 



13 

other Commandeiy of the Order, and not eligible in 
that in which he was rejected until a period of one 
year shall have elapsed from the date of his rejection, 
after which, in the event of the rejected candidate ap- 
plying for membership, he shall comply in all particu- 
lars with the forms hereinbefore prescribed, and, to 
be elected, must, when balloted for, be approved 
unanimously. 

Sec. 5. — When the fact of the unworthiness or in- 
eligibility of any candidate for membership in the 
Order shall be certified to by a committee of investi- 
gation it shall be recorded, and a copy of such record 
forwarded to every Commandery. 

ARTICLE VII. 

TRANSFER AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP, 

Section i. — A member may resign, on application 
made as hereinafter directed, at any stated meeting 
with the consent of two-thirds of the members present. 

In case of the proposed resignation of a member, 
before the same shall be accepted, he shall return to 
the Commandery of which he is a member the Di- 
ploma and Insignia of the Order. 

Sec. 2. — Resignations shall be made in writing, ac- 
companied by a certificate from the Recorder that all 
dues to the Order have been satisfied, but no mem- 



14 

ber shall be permitted to resign while charges are 
pending against him. 

Sec. 3. — Membership shall be forfeited only for a 
violation of any of the obligations taken on entering 
the Order, or for other conduct unbecoming a gen- 
tleman and inconsistent with that of a man of honor. 
In such cases the Diploma and Insignia in the pos- 
session of the person whose membership has been so 
terminated shall be returned to the Commandery of 
which he was a member. 

Sec. 4. — A commissioned officer of the Regular 
Army, Navy or Marine Corps, who is a member of 
the Order, upon being ordered to a station where 
there is a Commandeiy with which he may desire to 
affiliate, shall be entitled to a transfer thereto, upon 
written application to his Commandery accompanied 
by a certificate from the Recorder that his dues have 
been satisfied. A Companion in civil life, changing 
his residence to a place within the jurisdiction of any 
other Commandery, may in like manner receive a 
transfer. 

Sec. 5. — The right to hold the Insignia and Diploma 
of an Original Member shall, after his deceas'e, always 
be in his relative who is entitled to membership as his 
successor — in his family if there is no such relative, 
and in the Commandery through which they were is- 
sued, in the case of failure of such relatives and family. 



15 
ARTICLE VIII. 

IMPEACHMENT OF MEMBERS. 

Section i . — If the conduct or character of any Com- 
panion of this Order shall be impeached, the accusing 
member shall prefer his charges in writing to the Board 
of Officers, who shall notify the accused of the same ; 
and if, after due investigation, the Board of Officers con- 
sider the charge to be sustained, they shall report the 
case, with their decision, to the Commandery, notify- 
ing the accused of the time when the report is to be 
made. If the accused member shall fail to come for- 
ward and exculpate himself, he may be expelled by a 
vote of two-thirds of the members of the Commandery 
present. But no vote for the reprimand, suspension 
or expulsion of a Companion shall be taken except at 
a stated meeting. 

Sec. 2. — The dismissal, cashiering or dishonorable 
discharge from the military or naval service of the 
United States, or the conviction in a court of justice 
of an infamous offence, of any Companion of this 
Order, shall constitute a sufficient ground for his ex- 
pulsion without further investigation. 

Sec. 3. — A member who has been expelled may be 
reinstated only by a unanimous vote of the members 
of the Commandery at a stated meeting after he shall 
have petitioned in writing for reinstatement. 



I6 

ARTICLE IX. 

MEMBERS- AT-LARGE. 

The Diploma of Membership and the Insignia of 
the Order may be conferred upon any gentleman who 
served during the War of the Rebellion prior to the 
fifteenth day of April, 1865, on staff duty without com- 
mission, but who is otherwise eligible to membership, 
upon nomination and recommendation of the Com- 
mandery-in-Chief, by a vote of the Congress of the 
Order. The vote shall be by ballot, and three black- 
balls or adverse ballots shall exclude from such mem- 
bership. 

A Member-at-Large shall be recognized as a Com- 
panion of the First Class upon affiliating with a State 
Commandery and paying his admission fee. 



ARTICLE X. 

DIPLOMA OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. — Every Diploma of Membership shall 
be signed by the Commander-in-Chief, and shall have 
the seal of the Order affixed thereto, and be attested 
by the Recorder-in- Chief. 

Sec. 2. — The form of the Diploma shall be as 
follows : 



17 

No. 

In the name and by the Anthority of 

ICO AT OF ARMS.'] 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief 
To all to whom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting : 
Know ye, That 

Having been specially distinguished for faithful services 

in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of 

the Government of the United States of America, was 

received as a Companion of the Class of the 

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 

United States, on the day of , Anno Domini 

thousand hundred and , through the Com- 

mandery of the State of 

In testimony whereof the names of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the Order are hereunto affixed. 

Given at Philadelphia, this day of , in the 

year of our Lord ■■..- thousand hundred and , 

and of the Independence of the United States of 
America the _, and of the Order the 




Commander-in- CJiirf. 
Attest: — 



Recorder-in- Chief. 



i8 



ARTICLE XI. 

DEATH OF MEMBERS. 

Upon notice of the death of any Companion of the 
Order, the Commandery may be convened for the 
purpose of attending the funeral ceremonies. 

If agreeable to the family of the deceased, the coffin 
shall be draped with the United States flag, and the 
pall supported by Companions of the Order. 

ARTICLE XIL 

OFFICERS. 

Section i. — The Officers of the several State Com- 
manderies shall be a Commander, a Senior Vice-Com- 
mander, a Junior Vice-Commander, a Recorder, a 
Registrar, a Treasurer, a Chancellor, a Chaplain, and a 
Council consisting of five Companions, which officers 
shall constitute the Board of Officers. They shall be 
elected annually by ballot by a majority of the votes 
cast. Should no candidate receive a majority of the 
votes cast at the first ballot, then the candidate receiv- 
ing the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, and 
so on at each successive ballot. The Companions so 
elected shall enter upon office at the next stated meet- 
ing after their election, and shall hold the same until 
their successors shall have been duly elected and 
invested. 



19 

Sec. 2. — The Officers of the Commandery-in-Chief 
shall be a Commander-in-Chief, a Senior Vice-Com- 
mander-in-Chief, a Junior Vice- Commander-in-Chief, a 
Recorder-in-Chief, a Registrar-in-Chief, a Treasurer- 
in-Chief, a Chancellor-in-Chief, a Chaplain-in-Chief, 
and a Council-in-Chief, consisting of five Companions, 
which officers shall constitute the Board of Officers. 
They shall be elected every four years in the man- 
ner prescribed for the election of officers of the State 
Commanderies, and shall enter upon office at once, 
and hold the same until their successors shall have 
been duly elected and invested. 



ARTICLE XIII. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

Section i. — It shall be the duty of the Commander 
to preside at all meetings of the Commandery and of 
the Board of Officers ; to enforce a strict observance 
of the Constitution and By-Laws ; to appoint all 
officers and committees not otherwise provided for; 
to sign all orders drawn upon the Treasurer for 
sums necessary to defray expenses, and for other 
appropriations made and passed at a stated meeting 
of the Commandery ; and to perform such other duties 
as custom and parliamentary usage or his charge may 
require of him. 



20 

Sec. 2. — The Vice-Commanders shall, when called 
upon, assist the Commander in the performance of his 
duties. The Senior Vice-Commander, in the event 
of the death, resignation or absence of the Com- 
mander, shall be his plenary representative. In the 
event of the death, resignation or absence of the Senior 
Vice-Commander, the Junior Vice-Commander shall 
succeed to all his powers and duties. 

Sec. 3. — It shall be the duty of the Recorder to 
keep in books provided for the purpose, — 

1st. The Constitution and By-Laws, rules and 
regulations of the Order, to be signed by every Com- 
panion on his becoming a member thereof. 

2d. A record of the proceedings of the Com- 
mandery and of the Board of Officers. 

3d. A letter-book of copies of all official letters. 

4th. A ledger, to contain the accounts of the Com- 
mandery with its members. 

5th. A receipt-book, in which to take the Treas- 
urer's receipts. 

6th. A book in which shall be recorded the names 
and rank in the service of all that may have been de- 
clared ineligible for membership in the Order, and also 
of those members who may have been expelled from 
any Commandery, together with the reasons therefor. 



21 

It shall be his duty to keep these books in readiness 
at all times for inspection by the Council ; to care for 
and arrange the archives of the Commandery ; to keep 
all accounts between the Commandery and its mem- 
bers ; to receive in trust all moneys of the Com- 
mandery and pay the same without delay to the 
Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. He shall 
attest all orders drawn upon the Treasurer for money 
ordered to be paid at a stated meeting, and none others 
except those hereinafter specially provided for. He 
shall give due notice of all meetings of the Corrf- 
mandery, and shall furnish in the said notice the name, 
rank and command in the service, and address of each 
candidate for membership, together with the names of 
his recommenders, and of the committee of investiga- 
tion ; and on the first of January shall forward to each 
Companion a statement of his account with the Com- 
mandery. He shall conduct the correspondence of 
the Commandery, and shall notify the Commandery- 
in-Chief and each State Commandery, from time to 
time as they may occur, of every application or the 
withdrawal of any application for membership, of 
admissions, rejections, suspensions, expulsions, resigna- 
tions, restorations and deaths. He shall, at the last 
stated meeting in his term of office, make out for the 
Commandery a full report of all moneys received dur- 
ing his term and also the arrearages of every member, 
and shall transfer to his successor in office, within two 



22 

weeks after the expiration of his term, all books, 
papers, or other property in his possession belonging 
to his office. He shall notify the family of a deceased 
Companion of the First Class, of the provisions relat- 
ing to succession to eligibility of membership ; and 
shall perform such other duties as the Commandery or 
his office may require of him. He shall have the care 
and custody of the Seal of the Order. 

Sec. 4. — The Registrar shall procure and keep a 
register of the members of the Commandery, ruled to 
embrace every material fact relating to or growing out 
of their membership. In the absence or disability of 
the Recorder he shall officiate in his stead. 

Sec. 5. — The Treasurer shall receive from the Re- 
corder all moneys belonging to the Commandery, 
giving receipts for the same. He shall pay all orders 
signed by the Commander and attested by the Re- 
corder, and none others, and retain these orders as his 
vouchers in a book provided for the purpose. He shall 
keep fair and regular accounts of his receipts and 
expenditures, making a quarterly statement thereof, 
and shall perform such other duties as the Command- 
ery or his office may require of him. He shall pay 
over and deliver to his successor in office, on the 
investiture of his successor, all moneys, vouchers, 
books and papers belonging to the Commandery, in 
his hands at the close of his term of office. For the 



23 

faithful performance of his duty he shall give such 
security as the Commandery may direct. 

Sec. 6. — The Chancellor shall have the care and 
custody of the insignia, ribbon and rosettes. He 
shall issue, on proper requisitions, the Diploma of 
Membership and the Insignia of the Order, and shall 
keep in a book provided for the purpose a full and 
complete record of the same. In no case shall he 
issue a duplicate Diploma or Insignia except by a 
vote of the Commandery of which he is a member, 
based upon the statement, upon honor, by the ap- 
plicant that the original has been either lost or 
destroyed : Provided, That a Companion receiving 
such duplicate shall pay the actual cost of the same. 
In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, he 
shall officiate in his stead. 

Sec. 7. — It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to 
open the meetings of the Commandery in the manner 
prescribed, and to perform such other duties as general 
custom may require of him. 

Sec. 8. — The five members elected as the Council 
shall constitute a standing committee on accounts, 
and shall audit and adjust the Commandery 's books 
quarterly or oftener if required to do so, rendering 
reports of the same. 

Sec. 9. — The Board of Officers shall exercise a gen- 



24 

eral inspection and control over all property belonging 
to the Commandery. 

In dissensions between Companions, it shall be the 
duty of the Board of Officers to act as a court of 
honor for the just and amicable settlement of the 
same, but where charges are preferred against a Com- 
panion, it shall be constituted a court of inquiry for 
the Commandery, and shall proceed to act according 
to the laws and usages governing similar courts in the 
Army and Navy. It shall have power to fill vacancies 
in any of the offices of the Commandery, except in 
cases provided for in Article XIII, Sec. 2, until the 
time of the next annual election. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS. 

Any officer of the Order who shall neglect or im- 
properly perform the duties incumbent upon him, may 
be removed at any stated meeting by a vote of two- 
thirds of the members of the Commandery present. 

ARTICLE XV. 

MEETINGS. 

Section i. — The stated meetings of the several 
State Commanderies shall be held monthly, unless 
any Commandery, by a two-thirds vote, shall other- 



25 

wise direct : Provided however, That every Command- 
ery shall hold a meeting in the month of May of each 
year for the election of officers. 

Sec. 2. — Special meetings may be convened at the 
pleasure of the Commander, or upon the wcitten re- 
quest of twenty-five members of the Commandery 
upon seven days' notice. 

Sec. 3. — Eight members of the Commandery 'shall 
constitute a quorum at any meeting at which business 
is to be transacted. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

SECRECY. 

Section i. — None but Companions shall be present 
at business meetings of the Order. 

Sec. 2. — Any member who shall disclose the name 
of a Companion who has been instrumental in causing 
the rejection of any candidate for membership, or give 
information that may lead to such disclosure, shall be 
expelled from the Order, and the Commander shall 
cause the provisions of this law to be read immedi- 
ately after the rejection of such application. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

FUNDS. 

Section i. — The fiscal year of the Order shall begin 
on the first day of January. 



26 

Sec. 2. — Funds for defraying the current expenses 
of the Order, and for the rehef of the unfortunate, 
shall be raised by an annual assessment of at least five 
dollars upon each Companion, which shall be paid in 
advance ; but any Companion who shall pay, at one 
time, one hundred and fifty dollars over and above 
his admission fee, shall be exempt from the payment 
of ajl further dues. 

Sec. 3. — All sums paid for the commutation of an- 
nual assessments shall be transferred immediately to 
the Treasurer for investment in United States or other 
approved securities under the direction of the Board 
of Officers. 

Sec. 4. — Should a Companion who has commuted 
by payment as hereinbefore provided be transferred 
to another Commandery, the proportion of the com- 
mutation fee, according to the Carlisle Tables, shall 
be paid at the time of transfer to the Commandery 
receiving such Companion. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

ARREARAGES. 

Section i. — Any Companion who may be in arrears 
at the time of holding the annual election for officers 
shall be prohibited from voting, and ineligible to any 
office until such dues shall have been paid or re- 
mitted. 



27 

Sec. 2. — Any Companion who may be one year or 
more in arrears at the first stated meeting in April, 
shall be specially notified of the fact ; and if the same 
shall not be paid within a reasonable time thereafter, 
the Commandery may, by a vote of two-thirds of the 
members present, suspend the Companion until such 
arrearages shall be paid or duly remitted. 

Sec. 3. — If the Companion shall neglect or refuse to 
pay such arrears, he may be dropped from the roll by 
vote of a majority of the members of the Commandery 
present, unless it shall appear that the delinquency has 
occurred through unavoidable disability, in which case 
the Commandery may remit the whole or any portion 
thereof Companions so dropped from the roll may, 
however, be reinstated by vote of a majority of the 
members of the Commandery present, upon payment 
of such arrears. , 

ARTICLE XIX. 

RELIEF. 

Section i. — Every Companion who shall have been 
a member of this Order for one year and conformed 
to its laws, shall, in case of misfortune and distress, be 
entitled to such relief as may be deemed expedient. 

Sec. 2. — The widow and the children of a deceased 
Companion shall be entitled to such relief as the Com- 
panion, if living, would have enjoyed. 



28 

ARTICLE XX. 

RELIEF COMMITTEE, 

Immediately after the installation of the officers- 
elect, the Board of Officers shall, with the approval 
of the Commandery, appoint eight Companions, who 
shall constitute a relief committee for the ensuing 
year, to which committee all applications for relief 
shall be referred. The committee shall be empow- 
ered to order temporary assistance only in cases 
which will admit of no delay, and shall immedi- 
ately report the fact to the Board of Officers. The 
expenses for such assistance shall be paid by an order 
on the Treasurer, approved by the Board of Officers ; 
but the said committee shall draw no other orders 
upon the Treasurer, except by resolution of the Com- 
mandery. 

ARTICLE XXL 

STATE COMMANDERIES. 

Section i. — Authority to organize a State Com- 
mandery may be granted by the Commandery-in-Chief, 
upon the vote of two-thirds of the members present 
at a stated meeting: Provided, That written application 
for such organization shall have been made by at least 
thirteen Companions of the First Class. 

Sec. 2. — The form of Charter shall be as follows: 



29 

In the Name and by the Authority of 

ICO AT OF ARMS.'] 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief 
To all and singidar to whom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting 
Know ye, that our worthy Companions, 



are hereby authorized and empowered to institute 
organize and estabhsh a Commandery in 



to be known as The Commandery of the State of 

, OF the Military Order of the Loyal 

Legion of the United States. 

Witness the name of the Commander-in-Chief, and 
the Seal of the Order, attested by the Recorder-in- 

Chief, at Philadelphia, this day of in the 

year of our Lord thousand hundred and 

, and of the Independence of the United States 

of America the , and of the Order the , 



vii^rf, Commander-in-Chief. 

Attest : — 




Recorder-in- Chief. 



30 

Sec. 3. — Upon issuing the Charter to any Com- 
mandery, the Commander-in-Chief shall direct at 
what time and place the same shall be organized. 
The officers then chosen shall enter on their duties 
at once, and hold their offices until the meeting in the 
month of May next following. 

Sec. 4. — Each Commandery shall have power to 
adopt whatever rules and regulations may be deemed 
necessary for its own special government : Provided, 
That the same do not in any way conflict with or 
impair any part or portion of the Constitution and 
By-Laws of the Order. 

Sec. 5. — Each Commandery shall make a full report 
of its condition, with a general history of its proceed- 
ings, to the Commandery-in-Chief annually in May. 

ARTICLE XXIL 

COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF. 

Section i. — The Commandery-in-Chief shall con- 
sist of the Commanders, ex-Commanders, Vice-Com- 
manders, ex- Vice-Commanders, Recorders and ex- Re- 
corders of the several Commanderies. 

Sec. 2. — The duties of the officers of the Com- 
mandery-in-Chief shall be as prescribed in Article 
XIII of the Constitution for State Commanderies. 

Sec. 3. — All legislative power, except as provided 



31 

in this section and elsewhere reserved to the State 
Commanderies, shall be vested in the Congress of the 
Order, and the chief executive and supreme judicial 
power in the Commandery-in-Chief : Provided, That 
when a contingency shall arise which shall in all 
honor and fair dealing seem to the Commandery-in- 
Chief to demand instant and imperative action, it 
may, with the approval of a majority of the several 
State Commanderies, adopt measures to meet the 
contingency, which shall be binding until the next 
meeting of the Congress. 

Sec. 4. — The Commandery-in-Chief shall, in the 
name and by the authority of the Order, issue all 
diplomas of membership and charters for the insti- 
tution of new Commanderies. The Chancellor-in- 
Chief shall have the care and custody of the diploma- 
plate, dies, insignia and ribbon, and shall deliver to 
Chancellors of State Commanderies the diplomas of 
membership and the insignia required for their re- 
spective members. 

Sec. 5. — Should any State Commandery cease to 
hold regular meetings as provided by this Constitution 
for a period of one year, the Charter of the same 
may be revoked by the Commandery-in-Chief, and 
the Companions thereof in good standing shall be 
transferred to such Commanderies as they may elect. 

Sec. 6. — In order that the several Commanderies 



32 

shall be brought into direct communication with each 
other, it shall be the duty of the Commandery-in- 
Chief to have the Commanderies notified of each new 
organization that may have been effected ; and on 
the receipt of such official information, they shall 
communicate, with the least possible delay, with the 
new Commandery, tendering greetings on its entrance 
into the Order. 

Sec. 7. — The head-quarters of the Commandery- 
in-Chief of the Order shall be in the City of Phila- 
delphia, State of Pennsylvania, at which place it shall 
assemble at least once in every two years. The 
Council-in-Chief shall meet at least annually. Its 
members may be represented by letter. 

Sec. 8. — The actual and necessary expenses of the 
Commandery-in-Chief shall be provided for by a pro 
rata assessment upon each State Commandery, ac- 
cording to the number of the members in such Com- 
mandery. 

ARTICLE XXIII. 

CONGRESS OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — A Congress of the Order, to be com- 
posed of the Commander-in-Chief, Recorder-in-Chief, 
and three representatives from each and every Com- 
mandery, shall assemble at least once in every four 
years, on the Wednesday next following the ninth day 



33 

of April, in such place as shall have been designated 
by the preceding Congress, and shall act on whatever 
business may be laid before it. 

Sec. 2. — Commanderies unable to be represented by 
their own members shall select as substitutes the requi- 
site number of members from other Commanderies to 
complete their delegations : Provided, That such sub- 
stitutes shall not have been previously delegated by 
other Commanderies. Such substitutes shall, in all 
matters appertaining to the Congress, enjoy the rights 
and privileges of other representatives. 

ARTICLE XXIV. 

COAT OF ARMS OF THE ORDER. 

The Coat of Arms of the Order shall be : 

Arms. — Gironne, (symbolical of unity,) of thirty-four, 

gules and argent, (representing the number of States forming the 
National Government at the commencement of the Rebellion ;) a 

twisted pillar irradiated in pale, or, environed by an 

Orl or clouds, proper. {y. Exodus .xiii, 21, 22.) 

Crest. — Upon a wreath, argent and gules, a hemi- 
sphere, or, charged with the legend America, in letters 
azure ; thereon the National Eagle in the position of 
defence, proper; all within thirteen etoiles of five points 
archwise, of the first, on a field of the fourth. 

Supporters. — Dexter: A soldier under arms, his 
dexter hand supporting a lance, therefrom flying the 



34 

Standard of the United States ; Sinister : A sailor 
equipped for general quarters, his sinister hand sup- 
porting a pike, thereon hoisted the National Flag : all 
proper. The equipage of each as prescribed by the 
Regulations of 1 861-1865 for the government of the 
Army and Navy. 

Motto. — LEX REGIT ARMA TUENTUR, in letters argent, 
charged upon a scroll, purpure. [v. Frontispiece.) 

ARTICLE XXV. 

SEAL OF THE ORDER. 

The Seal of the Order shall be one-and-three-tenths 
inches in diameter, and shall consist of the Crest, as 
hereinbefore blazoned, the letters mdccclxv in base ; 
the whole encircled by a band one-eighth of an 
inch wide, thereon the legend, seal of the military 

ORDER OF the LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

ARTICLE XXVI. 

INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — The Insignia of the Order shall consist 
of the Badge pendent by a link and a ring of gold from 
the Ribbon. 

Sec. 2. — The Badge of the Order shall be as fol- 
lows : 



35 

Obverse. — A cross of eight points, gold, cantoned 
with rays of gold, forming a star — its long diameter 
one- and-three- tenths inches, its short diameter eight- 
tenths of an inch. The cross enameled, azure, 
charged with a smaller cross of like proportions, en- 
ameled white and edged with gold. In the centre 
thereof, within a circle four-tenths of an inch in 
diameter, enameled gules, the National Eagle dis- 
played gold. On the circle, gold, one-tenth of an 
inch wide, in relievo, the motto, lex regit arma 

TUENTUR. ( 5>'. page 38.) 

Reverse. — The star as above described. In the 
centre thereof, within a circle four-tenths of an inch 
in diameter, enameled gules, two sabres in saltire, 
their points in base ; surmounted by a fasces palewise, 
ensigned with the Phiygian Cap ; environed in chief 
with an arch of thirteen stars ; in base, a wreath of 
laurel : all of gold. On the circle, gold, one-tenth 
of an inch wide, in relievo, the legend — m. o., loyal 

LEGION, U. S. — MDCCCLXV. {v. page 39.) 

Sec. 3. — The reverse of the link of each Badge shall 
bear an engraved number corresponding to that of the 
registered number of the Companion to whom issued, 
and, when such badge shall have been worn by an 
Original Companion, the obverse of the link shall bear 
the number of the Companion entitled to it in succes- 
sion. 



36 

Sec. 4. — The Ribbon of the Order shall be of 
watered silk, one-and-a-half inches wide. 

For Companions of the First Class, a red ribbon 
eight-tenths of an inch wide, bordered with white and 
edged with blue, each three-and-one-half tenths of an 
inch wide. {v. page 38.) 

For Companions of the Second and Third Classes, 
a blue ribbon eight-tenths of an inch wide, bordered 
with white and edged with red, each three-and-one- 
half-tenths of an inch wide. (7'. page 39.) 

ARTICLE XXVII. 

UNIFORM OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — On occasions of ceremony, the Com- 
panions of the Order may wear the uniform of their 
respective arm and grade whilst in the service, subject 
to such regulations as may hereafter be enjoined. 

The Insignia of the Order shall be worn conspicu- 
ously, and only on the left breast, except that Officers 
of the Order, at meetings thereof, shall wear the Badge 
suspended by the Ribbon around the neck. 

Sec. 2. — Companions of the Order when not on 
duty as such may wear the rosette of the prescribed 
pattern in the upper button-hole of the left lapel of 
the coat. 



37 
ARTICLE XXVIII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alteration, addition or amendment shall be made 
to this Constitution or the By-Laws unless agreed to 
in the Congress of the Order by three-fourths of the 
whole number of Commanderies. 




Instituted April 15, 1865. 




Obverse. 



38 




Reverse. 



BY-LAWS. 



ARTICLE I. 

INSTALLATION OF MEMBERS. 

The Companion-elect being formally presented at a 
stated meeting of a Commandery, shall then and there 
make a declaration upon honor that he will maintain 
the Constitution of the Order, and conform to all its 
By-Laws, rules and regulations, and will use his 
best endeavors to promote its objects and advance 
its interests. 

ARTICLE II. 

investiture of officers. 

A Companion elected to any office in the Order, 
before being invested with the authority of the same, 
shall make a formal declaration upon honor that he 
will well and faithfully perform the duties of the office 
upon which he is about to enter, and comply with all 
the established laws and usages of the Order. 

40 



41 

ARTICLE III. 

FINES. 

Section i. — The fundamental principles of this 
Order being recognized as its only test of loyal cit- 
izenship, the discussion or introduction of sectarian 
or partisan topics within the precincts of a Command- 
ery is prohibited, and this under a penalty of such fine, 
not exceeding fifty dollars, as may be imposed by order 
of the Board of Officers. 

Sec. 2. — All other violations or neglects of duty 
may be fined at the option of the Commandery. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

At stated meetings the business shall be conducted 
in the following order: 

1. At the time appointed the Commander shall take 
the chair and call the Commandery to order. 

2. The Recorder may call the roll of members. 

3. The Chaplain shall pronounce the opening prayer^ 

4. The minutes of the last stated and all subsequent 
meetings shall be read and disposed of. 

5. Companions-elect shall be installed. 

6. The stated business of the meeting, if any, shall 
be considered. 

7. Unfinished business shall be taken up. 



42 

8. Reports of officers and committees shall be 
heard. 

9. Written communications shall be presented. 

10. Candidates for membership shall be balloted for. 

11. Applications for membership shall be received. 

12. Dues of Companions shall be called for pay- 
ment. • 

13. New business may be introduced. 

14. The Recorder shall register the names of the 
Companions present. 

15. Adjournment. 

ARTICLE V. 

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

Section i. — The general parliamentary law shall 
govern the transactions of the Congress of the Order 
and the Commanderies. 

Sec. 2. — All official orders, communications, records 
and proceedings, of whatever character, shall conform 
as nearly as possible to the general regulations, usages 
and customs of the military service of the United States. 

ARTICLE VI. 

THE ACTING COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF OF THE ORDER. 

Until the organization of the Commandery-in-Chief 
of the Order, the Commandery of the State of Penn- 
sylvania shall act as the Commandery-in-Chief 



INDEX. 



Accounts PAGB 

to be kept by Recorder 21 

to be kept by Treasurer 22 

shall be audited by Council 23 

Admission Fee — 

shall be at least twenty- five dollars 12 

must accompany application for membership Ii 

Amendments to Constitution 37 

Applications for Membership — 

how to be made II 

must be accompanied by admission fee and dues 11 

shall be published in notices of meetings 21 

other Commanderies shall be notified of 21 

effect of rejection of 12 

renewal by rejected candidates of 13 

other Commanderies shall be notified of rejection of . . . 13, 21 

withdrawal of 12 

other Commanderies shall be notified of withdrawals of . . . . 21 

Arrears. See Dues. 

Badge. See Insignia. 

Black Ball. See Rejection. 

Board of Officers — 

how constituted 18 

Commander shall preside at meetings of 19 

duties of 23, 24 

shall investigate charges against Companions I5) 24 

Books of Commandery — 

to be kept by Recorder 20 

to be kept by Registrar 22 

43 



44 

Books of Commandery continued — fagb 

to be kept by Treasurer 22 

to be kept by Chancellor 23 

shall be audited by Council 23 

By-Laws 4° 



Chancellor-in-Chief, duties of 31 

Chancellor, duties of , 23 

Chaplain, duties of 23 

Charges. See Impeachment of Members. 
Charity. See Relief. 

Charters — 

form of 29 

shall be issued by Commandery-in-Chief 31 

revocation of 3' 

Coat of Arms 33 

Collateral Descendants. See Succession to Membership. 

Commander, duties of 19 

Commander-in-Chief — 

shall sign diplomas 16 

shall designate time and place for organizing new Com- 

manderies 3° 

sliall be member of the Congress 32 

Commanderies. See also State Commanderies. 

organizations shall be designated as 7 

title of National 7 

title of State 7 

Commandery-in-Chief — 

designation and titles of officers of 19 

election of officers of 19 

membership of 3° 

duties of officers of 30 

shall meet at least once in two years 32 

members-at-large must be nominated by 16 

may grant charters for State Commanderies 28, 3I 

revocation of charters by 3^ 

executive and judicial power vested in 31 



45 

Commandery-in-Chief continued — page 

authorized to act in contingencies 31 

all diplomas of membership shall be issued by 31 

shall give notice of organization of new Commanderies .... 32 

head-quarters shall be in Philadelphia 33 

provision for expenses of 3^ 

Commandery of Pennsylvania to act temporarily as 42 

Committee of Investigation — 

appointment, number, and duties of II 

Commutation of Dues — 

may be paid 26 

investment of money received for 26 

transfer of members who have paid 26 

Companions, members shall be designated as 7 

Congress of the Order — 

delegates to 32 

substitute delegates to 33 

time and place of meeting of 3^ 

legislative power vested in . 30 

members-at-large shall be elected by 16 

powers of Commandery-in-Chief during recesss of 31 

Council, duties of 23 

Council-in-Chief, shall meet at least annually 32 

Court of Honor 24 

Court of Inquiry 24 

Deaths of Members — 

observance of 18 

each Commandery shall be notified of 21 

families shall be notified relative to succession 22 

Deceased Officers, eligibility of descendants of 8 

Declaration of Membership — 

how made 12 

form of 40 

Declaration of Officers, form of 40 

Diploma of Membership — 

to be issued only to original first and third class members ... 12 
must be returned in case of forfeiture of membership 14 



46 

Diploma of Membership continued — pack 

ownership of, in case of death 14 

making and attesting of 16 

form of 17 

how and by whom issued 23, 31 

issue of duplicate 23 

Dropping from Roll — 

for non-payment of dues ° 27 

right of succession may be revived in cases of 10 

Dues — 

shall be at least five dollars annually 26 

must accompany applications for membership 11 

statements shall be sent to Companions on January ist . . . ,21 
Companions shall be notified in April if in arrears for .... 27 
Companions cannot vote for officers and ineligible to office 

until paid 26 

Companions may be suspended if in aiTears one year for. ... 27 
Companions may be dropped from roll for non-payment of . .27 

may be commuted 26 

remission of 27 

Duties of Officers 19 

Election of Members — 

formal request for objections required prior to 11 

every Companion present must vote in II 

number of black balls or adverse ballots required to reject . .11 
vote must be unanimous if candidate has been previously re- 
jected 13 

candidate must be balloted for if report is unfavorable . . . .12 
null and void if conditions not complied with in six months . 12 

second class Companions cannot vote in lO 

each Commandery to be notified of 21 

Election of Officers — 

time and manner of i8» 19 

second class Companions cannot vote in 10 

Companions in arrears for dues cannot vote in 26 

Eligibility. See Membership. 

Enlisted Men, subsequently commissioned 8 

Executive Power, vested in Commandery-in-Chief 31 



47 

Expulsion — PAGE 

two-thirds vote at stated meeting required for 15 

cases in which may be made without investigation 15 

unanimous vote necessary for reinstatement after 15 

giving information relative to rejection of candidates shall be 

punished by 25 

of original Companion cancels right of inheritance lO 

of Companion by inheritance has effect of waiver 9 

Recorder of each Commandery shall keep record of 20 

each Commandery shall be notified of 21 

Fines 41 

First Class Companions. See Membership. 

Fiscal Year 25 

Forfeiture of Membership, See also Expulsion. 

limitations on * 14 

diploma and insignia must be returned in cases of 14 

Funerals 18 

Impeachment of Members — 

manner of preferring and acting on charges for 15 

Companion cannot resign pending charges 14 

not necessary in certain cases 15 

Board of Officers shall constitute court of inquiry in cases of . 24 

Incorporation 7 

Inheritance. See Succession to Membership. 

Insignia — 

payment of admission fee entitles to 12 

must be returned in cases of forfeiture of membership .... 14 

ownership of 14 

Chancellor shall have custody and issue of 23 

issue of duplicate 23 

description of 34 

manner of wearing 36 

Installation of Members ^ 40 

Investiture of Officers 40 

Judicial Power, vested in Commandery-in-Chief 31 



48 

PAGE 

Legislative Power, vested in Congress 30 

Lineal Descendants. See Succession to Membership. 

Meetings — 

Recorder shall give notice of 21 

stated 24 

special 25 

quorum at 25 

secrecy of 25 

order of Inisiness at 41 

Members-at-Large 16 

Membership. See also Succession to Membership. 

applications for, how made and acted on II 

declaration of '. 12 

election to, necessary 8, 10 

howf made II 

eligibility to, defined 7) 8, 9, ID, 16 

waiving of right of eligibility to 9 

in case of minors to be held in abeyance 9 

forfeiture of 14) 1 5 

reinstatement to xo, 15, 21, 27 

resignation of 13 

first class 7, 8, 9, 10 

second class 10 

third class 10 

transfer of , . 14 

Motto 34 

National Commandery. See Commandery-in-Chief. 

Objects of the Order 6 

Officers - 

designation and titles of 18, 19 

time and manner of electing 18, 19 

duties of 19 

when duties begin and terminate . . '. 18, 19 

Companions in arrears for dues ineligible as 26 

causes and manner for removal of 24 



49 

Officers continued — pagb 

filling vacancies in 24 

manner of wearing badge by 36 

investiture of 40 

Official Papers, form of 42 

Order of Business 41 

Organization of the Order 7 

Parliamentary Law, to govern meetings 42 

Politics, fine for discussing 41 

Preamble to Constitution 5 

Primogeniture. See Succession to Membership. 

Principles of the Order 6 

Quorum 25 

Rebellion, date of suppression of, for purposes of determining right 

eligibility of membership 8 

Recorder, duties of 20 

Recorder-in-Chief — 

shall attest diplomas 16 

shall be member of the Congress 32 

Registrar, duties of 22 

Reinstatement — 

of right of inheritance 10 

after expulsion 15 

upon payment of arrears of dues 27 

each Commandery to be notified of 21 

Rejection — 

number of black balls or adverse ballots required for . . . 11, 12 

effect of 12 

Companion shall be expelled for giving information relative to . 25 

provisions of Constitution to be read in cases of 25 

each Commandery shall be notified of 21 

Relief- 
provisions for 27 

committee to be appointed annually on 28 

Removal of Officers 24 

4 



50 

PAGE 

Reprimand 15 

Resignation of Membership — 

by Companion by inheritance has effect of waiver 9 

by original Companion, right of inheritance may be revived . . 10 

how made and acted on 13 

dues must be paid before acceptance of . . . .• 13 

diploma and insignia must be returned before acceptance of . .13 

consent of two-thirds required for acceptance of 13 

not permitted pending charges 14 

each Commandery must be notified of 21 

Ribbon — 

Chancellor has custody and issue of 23 

description of 36 

Rosette — 

Chancellor has custody and issue of 23 

description of 36 

manner of wearing 36 

Rules and Regulations 42 

Seal — 

Recorder shall have custody of 22 

shall be affixed to diplomas 16 

description of 34 

Second Class Companions — 

eligibility as 10 

become first class on death of predecessor 10 

cannot vote 10 

Staff Officers, who served without commissions 16 

State Commanderies — 

manner of making and granting applications for organizing . . 28 

form of charter for 29 

revocation of charters of 31 

may incorporate 7 

organization of 30 

may adopt rules and regulations , 30 

shall make annual report to Commandery-in-Chief 30 

shall tender greetings to new Commanderies 32 

shall pay expenses of Commandery-in-Chief 32 



51 

Succession to Membership — page 

election required for lo 

collateral descendant may be designated for, by original Com- 
panion for life, in case no lineal descendant 8 

eligibility to, how determined 8 

of descendants of first class companions 8 

of descendants of deceased officers 8 

limitation of, among collateral descendants 8 

devolution of, if first, person entitled is already a Com- 
panion 9 

cannot be renounced in case of minority 9 

waiving 9 

not lost by expulsion of Companion by inheritance ... 9 

lost by expulsion of Original Companion ID 

may be revived in cases of resignation 10 

may be revived in cases of dropping from rolls for non- 
payment of dues ID 

Recorder shall notify families of provisions relative to . . . .22 
Suspension — 

vote at stated meeting required for 15 

for non-payment of dues 27 

each Commandery shall be notified of 21 

Third Class Companions — 

eligibility defined for 10 

number allowed II 

Title of National Commandery 7 

Title of State Commanderies 7 

Title of the Order 5 

Transfers — 

when allowed and how made 14 

of members v/ho have commuted dues 26 

in case of revocation of charter 31 

Treasurer, duties of 22 

Uniform 36 

Vacancies in Office, Board of Officers shall fill 24 



52 

PAGB 

Vice-Commanders, duties of 20 

Voting — 

second class Companions have not right of ID 

manner of voting for members 11, 16 

manner of voting for officers 18 

prohibited at annual election if in arrears for dues 26 

Waiving right of eligibility to succession 9 



THE 



MILITARY ORDER 



LOYAL LEGION 



UNITED STATES 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 



PHILADELPHIA 
■ 885 



ROLL OF COMMANDERIES. 



1. Commandcry of the State of Pcnnsytmnia. Headquarters, Philadelphia. 

{Acting Commandery-in- Chief.) 
Instituted April 15th, 18C5. 
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel John P. Nicholson, U. S. V., 

Recorder, 139 South Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 

2. Commandery of the State of Neiv York. Headquarters, New York City. 

Instituted Jamiary 17th, 1866. 
Brevet Brigadier-General Charles A. Carleton, U. S. V., 

Recorder, 202 Broadway, New York City. 

3. Commandery of the State of Maine. Headquarters, Portland. 

Instituted April 2.'jth, 1866. 
First Lieutenant Edward M. Rand, late Maine Vols., 

Recorder, 93 Exchange Street, Portland. 

4. Commandery of the State of^ MassacMisett<. Headquarters, Boston. 

Instituted March 4th, 1808. 
Colonel Arnold A. Eand, late Massachusetts Vols., 

Recorder, 53 Tremont Street, Boston. 

5. Commandery of the State of California. Headquarters, San F)-ancisco. 

Instituted April 12th, 1871. 
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Smedbueg, U. S. A., 

Recorder, 316 California Street, San Francisco. 

6. Commandery of the State of Wisconsin. Headquarters, Milwaukee. 

Instituted May 15th, 1874. 
JJrevet Captain James R. Saville, U. S. V. 

Recorder, 287 Broadway, Milwaukee. 

7. Commandery of the State of Illinois. Headquarters, Chicago. 

Instituted May 8th, 1S79. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles W. Davis, late Illinois Vols., 

Recorder, 117 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. 

8. Commandery of the District of Columbia. Headquarters, Washington. 

Instituted February 1st, 1882. 
Brevet Brigadier-General Albert Ordway, U. S. V., 

Recorder, 1429 New York Avenue, Washington. 

9. Commandery of the State of Ohio. Headquarters, Cincinnati. 

Instituted May 3d, 1882. 
First Lieutenant Absalom H. Mattox, late Ohio Vols., 

Recorder, P. 0. Box 31, Cincinnati. 

10. Commandery of the State of Michigan. Headquarters, Detroit. 
Instituted February 4th, 1885. 
Major Sidney L. Fuller, 

Recorder, No. 1 Campau Building, Detroit. 

11 Commandcry of the State of Minnesota. Headquarters, St. Paid. 
Instituted May Cth, 1885. 
Brevet Major George Q. White, U. S. A., 

Recorder, 88 Western Avenue, St. Paul. 

12. Commandery of the State of Oregon. Headquarters, Portland. 
Instituted May Cth, 1885. 



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